When Mason Greenwood netted four goals in a single Ligue 1 match, he didn’t just break a 45-year club record — he reignited a career many thought was over. The 23-year-old English forward delivered a performance for the ages on September 25, 2024, Orange Vélodrome, leading Olympique de Marseille to a 5-1 thrashing of Angers SCO. It was the first time in the club’s 124-year history that a player had scored four in a league game since Delio Onnis in 1979. And just days later, on October 8, 2024, he was named Ligue 1 Player of the Month for September — his second such honor since joining Marseille from Manchester United Football Club in August 2023.
A Comeback Written in Goals
Greenwood’s rise in France is nothing short of cinematic. After being released by Manchester United in February 2022 amid criminal charges in England — charges later dismissed by French prosecutors in July 2023 — he was a footballing ghost. No club wanted him. No national team would call. But Olympique de Marseille, under president Pablo Longoria and manager Marcelino García Toral, took a gamble. They didn’t just sign him — they rebuilt him. And now, he’s the most lethal striker in France.His four goals against Angers came in the 17th, 32nd, 45+1st, and 78th minutes — a chilling display of clinical finishing. He didn’t just score; he dictated the tempo, bullied defenders, and showed a composure that belied his age and past turmoil. The win lifted Marseille to third in Ligue 1 with 18 points after nine games, and Greenwood’s contribution was undeniable: 7 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 appearances.
A First for an Englishman
Since the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award began in 2012-2013, no English player had ever won it twice. Greenwood now holds that distinction. His first came in January 2024, after three goals and an assist in four matches. This time, he outshone stars like Kylian Mbappé (who missed most of September due to injury) and Randal Kolo Muani. The voting — conducted by LFP journalists, club captains, and over 150,000 fans — was decisive. He didn’t just win; he dominated.It’s his fifth Player of the Month award overall. Three came during his Premier League days at Manchester United — February 2020, January 2021, and December 2021. But this one feels different. It’s redemption. It’s proof that talent, when given space to heal, can outlast scandal.
The Shadow of The FA
Here’s the twist: for all his success in France, Greenwood remains frozen out of international football. The Football Association of England (The FA), headquartered at Wembley Stadium, has kept his registration “suspended indefinitely” under Article 10 of its International Match Regulations. Despite the dismissal of charges in France, The FA has not lifted its disciplinary review. No timeline. No explanation. Just silence.That means no call-up for England national football team, even under new manager Thomas Tuchel. It’s a bitter irony. While he’s scoring goals that could win World Cup qualifiers, he’s barred from wearing the Three Lions shirt. The FA’s stance has drawn quiet criticism from French officials and former England captains. “He’s playing at the highest level,” one anonymous LFP insider told Goal.com. “If this were any other country, he’d be in camp.”
Charity, Contract, and the Road Ahead
The award comes with a €5,000 prize — which Greenwood donated to the Manchester United Foundation’s “Red Against Hunger” initiative in Greater Manchester. A symbolic gesture, perhaps. A quiet act of reconciliation with the club that let him go.His contract with Marseille runs until June 30, 2027, with a staggering €80 million buyout clause registered with France’s financial watchdog, the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion. That’s not just a deterrent — it’s a statement. Marseille believes he’s worth more than any club in Europe.
His next challenge? A high-stakes clash against Stade Rennais FC on October 19, 2024, at Roazhon Park in Rennes. A win there could push Marseille into the top two — and keep Greenwood in the spotlight.
What’s Next?
The FA’s silence speaks volumes. Will they ever lift the suspension? If Greenwood continues this form — and he’s averaging a goal every 82 minutes this season — pressure will mount. Fans in England are asking: If he’s good enough for Marseille, why isn’t he good enough for England?Meanwhile, in Marseille, the fans chant his name. The press calls him “The Ghost Who Returned.” And Greenwood? He’s focused. “I’m proud,” a club source said. “But I’m not done.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t Mason Greenwood been called up by England despite his form?
The Football Association of England maintains an indefinite suspension on Greenwood’s international eligibility due to ongoing disciplinary proceedings stemming from 2022 criminal allegations — even though French prosecutors dismissed the case in 2023. The FA has not disclosed the nature of its review or a timeline for resolution, preventing any call-up by manager Thomas Tuchel despite Greenwood’s Ligue 1 dominance.
What makes Greenwood’s four-goal match historic for Marseille?
Greenwood became the first player in Olympique de Marseille’s 124-year history to score four goals in a single Ligue 1 match since Delio Onnis achieved the feat against Valenciennes in 1979. His goals came in the 17th, 32nd, 45+1st, and 78th minutes, showcasing explosive efficiency. Only two other Marseille players have ever scored four in a top-flight game — and both were in the 1970s.
How does Greenwood’s current contract compare to other top Ligue 1 forwards?
With an €80 million buyout clause valid until June 2027, Greenwood’s contract ranks among the highest in Ligue 1 — comparable to Kylian Mbappé’s pre-transfer clause and ahead of most strikers like Randal Kolo Muani. The figure reflects Marseille’s belief in his market value and long-term potential, especially as his form continues to rise while his age remains in his prime.
Why did Greenwood donate his award money to Manchester United’s charity?
Though released by Manchester United in 2022, Greenwood chose to donate his €5,000 Ligue 1 award to the club’s ‘Red Against Hunger’ initiative in Greater Manchester. The gesture is widely interpreted as an act of personal reconciliation — acknowledging the role the club played in his development, even as he moved on from its shadow.
Could Greenwood ever play for England again?
Technically, yes — but only if The FA lifts his suspension. There’s no public indication of when or if that will happen. His consistent performances and clean disciplinary record in France may pressure The FA to reconsider, especially as England’s attacking options remain inconsistent. For now, his international future remains in legal limbo.
How has Marseille’s performance changed since Greenwood joined?
Since Greenwood’s permanent move in August 2023, Marseille has gone from mid-table uncertainty to genuine title contenders. In the 2023-24 season, they finished fifth; this season, they’re third after nine games with 18 points. His 10 goals in 12 appearances have been the catalyst, turning them from a team that struggled to score into one of Ligue 1’s most potent attacks.